Subject: Call from God! |
Bible Note: Greetings Doc, Absolutely right! We certainly would not want to lose sight of the general calling of salvation (Matthew 22:14) to those who are chosen (Acts 2:39; Romans 11:28-29; 1 Cor. 1:26; Heb. 9:15) to be the elect, especially with John Calvin's 500th Birthday happening on July 10th. :-) I noticed that Grace7044 had included in her profile that she is a pianist in her church; therefore, the thrust of my response to her question of "calling" was based on an 'outward' vocational or gifts emphasis rather than an 'inward' or salvic emphasis in which we "give careful thought to your ways" (Haggai 1:5,7, 2:15,18 [NIV]). Therefore, I had assumed that a vocational meaning was intended here, not a basic implication of salvation, as she is already active in service. But you are correct in pointing out that the importance of the 'calling of salvation' cannot be dismissed in any discussion of 'calling,' even if that was never the intent of the original Question or of the Answer given. There is indeed a deeper meaning to the inward sense of calling as opposed to that of vocation: "That man is out of reach of harm in this life, who is sure of possessing heaven in the next. This is the portion of every believer." Samuel Willard (1640-1707). 2 Peter 1:10 emphasizes the importance of salvation and it is good to revisit that verse in light of this discussion of 'calling,' since a calling towards any ministry would require that one have that initial calling of salvation. "The more purely God's word is preached, the more deeply it pierces and the more kindly it works." William Gouge (1575-1653) Blessings to you, Makarios |